By Chad Courrier
Free Press Staff Writer
MANKATO —
Last season, during the Minnesota State football team’s home opener, the starting quarterback was injured early in the third quarter, and the backup came in and led the Mavericks to a victory.
On Thursday, it was deja vu all over again.
“I guess it was a similar game,” coach Todd Hoffner said. “That’s why we practice both quarterbacks hard. We expect our backups to thrive in our system.”
Thrive might be an understatement, but backup quarterback Will Brogan produced Minnesota State’s only scoring drive midway through the fourth quarter, and the defense stopped a two-point conversion in the final minute that allowed the Mavericks to claim a 7-6 nonconference victory over Northern Michigan at Blakeslee Stadium.
It was the fewest points in a Minnesota State victory since a 6-0 victory over Bemidji State in 1966.
“I don’t care if we win a one-point game at 3-2 or 41-40, it doesn’t matter,” Hoffner said. “All Mavericks should be happy with this win.”
The first half, which took less than an hour, produced few highlights. The Mavericks had only 58 yards of offense as the offensive line, which has four new starters, failed to open holes or protect the quarterback.
“We weren’t denting their front,” Hoffner said. “That nose (guard) is probably the best we’ve seen in a long time, and it was tough sledding for our backs all day.”
Northern Michigan had some success, gaining 170 yards of offense, but the Wildcats’ best drive was stopped on an interception by safety Simon Cholometes at the 10-yard line midway through the second quarter.
“We just want to play fast and play hard and give all-out effort by everybody,” said safety Troy Jones, who had a team-high seven tackles. “Everybody is rallying to the ball.”
On the first possession of the third quarter, senior quarterback Steve Pachan injured his left knee and was hobbling noticeably. Last season, it was Pachan who came in for starter Ryan Fick in the third quarter of the home opener, but this time, Will Brogan, a transfer from California University (Pa.), took over.
“I saw Steve limping, and coach did, too,” Brogan said. “I knew I had to be ready when my number was called.”
The Mavericks’ first big break came early in the third quarter when a high snap on a Northern Michigan punt gave Minnesota State the ball at the 8. Brogan moved the Mavericks three yards, but Sam Brockshus’ 22-yard field goal hit the right upright and bounced back into the end zone.
Later in the quarter, the Mavericks forced a fumble, which linebacker Andrew Paik recovered at Northern Michigan’s 22. But another field-goal attempt, this time from 36 yards, was wide right.
“It was tough, but we expect him to make those,” Hoffner said.
Finally, the Mavericks cracked the Wildcats’ defense in the fourth quarter, making a 9-play drive that covered 36 yards. The score came on a 10-yard fade to the corner from Brogan to Adam Thielen, and Brockshus added the PAT for a 7-0 lead with 5:33 to play.
“Adam had been bugging me to run that play and give him a chance,” Brogan said. “I liked the call, and fortunately, it worked.”
Northern Michigan scored its only touchdown on a 19-yard pass with 42 seconds to go, but after a timeout, the two-point pass failed when cornerback Bryce Kinniry dived in front of the receiver to knock the ball down at the goal-line.
“We knew right away we were going to stop them,” Jones said. “No doubt, we believed that we were going to get the stop.”
Brogan finished with 6 completions in 9 attempts for 67 yards, while Pachan was 3 of 14 for 32 yards with one interception. Hoffner said he didn’t know how serious Pachan’s injury was.
The Mavericks had 207, and Northern Michigan had 254 yards. Jake Aberg was the top rusher with 67 yards on 21 carries.
“You have to give both defenses credit,” Hoffner said. In college football, to hold a team under the teens (for points) is pretty stellar. Both defenses have a lot to brag about, and both offense have a lot to work on. Fortunately, we can work on things after a win.”
The Mavericks begin the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference schedule on Saturday, Sept. 11, against Northern State at Aberdeen, S.D.
